Chapter 3: The First Challenge
The basement of the Rising Sun Guild had barely changed since Jaeho first started the guild. The dingy walls, the cluttered shelves, and the remnants of old convenience store equipment—everything was still there. But now, a strange hum filled the air, coming from the swirling blue vortex that stood ominously in the center of the room. The Colosseum Gate was fully manifested, its energy pulsing as it hovered in mid-air.
Jaeho stood in front of it, his mind racing. It was hard to believe that just hours ago, he was nursing a bottle of soju in a bar, cursing the heavens. Now, the weight of responsibility had shifted onto his shoulders. The gate was his, but it wasn't just a tool to save his life. This was his path to building something—something real.
"Sooyun, get ready," Jaeho called out to his sole guild member, who was standing a few feet away. Her arms were crossed, a skeptical look still lingering on her face.
"I'm ready for whatever this is," she replied, her voice cool but filled with uncertainty. "But are you sure about this, Jaeho? We don't even know what's inside the gate."
Jaeho met her gaze and gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll find out together. Besides, I'm not sending you in without a plan. You'll be the first one to test it out, and you'll earn the first magic stone from this gate."
Sooyun raised an eyebrow. "Magic stones? You really think we're going to make something of this?"
"We have to start somewhere," Jaeho said, his tone firm. "We need those stones to fund the guild and build our future. Plus, this gate is ours to control. No one else can access it, so we're the only ones who can benefit from it."
The excitement in Sooyun's eyes grew, but she remained silent. It was clear she didn't trust the situation fully, but there was also a spark of determination in her. She had nowhere else to go, and for better or worse, she had put her faith in Jaeho. If he said this was their ticket to something bigger, she would follow him.
Jaeho stepped forward, his fingers brushing the glowing screen hovering beside the gate. The system had been specific: In order to ensure a human visitor, you must manage the gate well. No outside visitors can enter unless invited by you, and every monster defeated inside earns magic stones that can be used for future upgrades.
"Sooyun," Jaeho called, "go ahead and step through."
With a reluctant nod, Sooyun walked toward the swirling portal. The instant her foot crossed the threshold, she vanished from sight, swallowed by the gate's energy. Jaeho held his breath for a moment before following suit, stepping into the gate after her.
Inside the gate was nothing like the basement they had left behind. The air felt different here—crisp, charged with an unnatural energy. The ground beneath their feet was stone, cracked in places and covered in moss, with towering walls surrounding them. Sooyun blinked in surprise as she took in the massive arena that stretched out before them.
A thick fog lingered in the air, making it difficult to see far into the distance. The sound of distant growls and the clinking of metal echoed through the eerie silence. It was like stepping into a different world, one filled with danger and opportunity.
"So this is it..." Sooyun muttered, her eyes scanning the arena. "It feels like a gladiator arena."
Jaeho looked around, his heart racing. The gate had granted them access to an enormous space—a private arena that existed completely separate from the outside world. It was a place where only those he allowed could enter. He had made sure of that. The gate's protocol required human visitors to stay within, but he had control. No one would come here unless he decided it was time.
"Get ready," Jaeho said, stepping forward and raising his hand. A soft blue screen flickered to life, displaying a list of monsters he could summon.
"First, let's start with something easy." Jaeho tapped the screen, selecting a low-level monster. The ground trembled as a creature emerged—a goblin, its green skin mottled with scars and dirt, brandishing a rusted sword. It snarled, its eyes locking onto Sooyun as it took a menacing step forward.
"Show me what you've got, Sooyun," Jaeho called out, excitement bubbling in his chest. "Defeat it and earn your first magic stone."
Sooyun took a deep breath, summoning her magic. With a flick of her wrist, a ball of fire formed in her hands. The goblin charged, but Sooyun was quick on her feet. She hurled the fireball at the goblin, and it hit its target, causing the creature to screech in pain. The goblin staggered, singed, but it quickly recovered, rushing toward her with surprising speed.
"Not bad, but try this!" Sooyun shouted, summoning another wave of fire, this time surrounding the goblin in flames. It howled as its body was consumed by the fire, and within moments, it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Jaeho watched, nodding in approval. "Well done."
A moment later, the goblin's body disappeared, leaving behind a glowing magic stone. Jaeho quickly approached and picked it up. "This is what we need. These magic stones can be exchanged for real money at the Hunter Association. We can use the funds to expand the guild and get better equipment."
Sooyun glanced at the stone in his hand, her expression softening. "So, we'll be able to make money from this?"
"Exactly," Jaeho said, his voice filled with determination. "This is just the beginning. With every monster we defeat, with every stone we collect, we'll have the resources to build the Rising Sun Guild. The Hunter Association will buy these stones, and we can use that to fund the future."
The Colosseum Gate hummed in the background, and Jaeho felt a surge of confidence. The road ahead would be tough, but with Sooyun by his side and the gate at his disposal, he knew one thing for sure: the Rising Sun Guild would rise.
End of Chapter 3